Example 30-1 Example Assignments:
What do these texts suggest about the ways in which individuals struggle to restore honour and certainty?
What do these texts suggest about the ways in which individuals pursue or compromise their happiness?
What do these texts suggest about the human need to make a commitment or renounce a course of action?
What do these texts suggest to you about the impact of separation in an individual’s life?
… the conflict between pursuing a personal desire and choosing to conform?
… the significance of idealism and truth in an individual’s life?
… the interplay between how individuals perceive themselves and are perceived by others?
… the impact of an individual’s ambition on self and others?
… the role adversity plays in shaping an individual’s identity?
The ELA 30-1 pattern:
Personal Response to Texts (texts may include: a visual): What do these texts suggest about a focus question?
Critical: Discuss the idea(s) developed by the text creator in your chosen text about a focus question.
The specific topic prompt for the Critical / Analytical Response to Literary Texts Assignment will not be identical to that of the Personal Response to Texts Assignment.
It will in some manner provide a slight reframing of the thematic context already introduced (e.g., adding a thematic context, qualifying a theme, specifying a human attribute, etc.).
Example: Discuss the idea(s) developed by the text creator in your chosen text about the motivation to question or confirm a committed course of action.
30-2 Example Assignments:
Visual Reflection: What ideas and impressions do the photographs suggest to you? What ideas and impressions does the visual text suggest to you?
Literary Exploration: What is your opinion of the idea that a focus questions has an answer?
… the ability to face hardship is an essential human quality?
… a moment of crisis can have significant consequences?
… significant events can change a person’s perspective?
… our beliefs are influenced by the actions of others?
… the dangers we face may lie beyond our understanding?
… courage is an important quality?
… individual actions affect the lives of others?
You must develop your responses by exploring how the experiences of the chosen character relate to your ideas regarding the assigned topic. You should reflect upon your own prior knowledge and/or experience and/or the reading selection provided in the examination.
The thesis is often developed in 3 body sections: reflect on the exam text, reflect on your chosen character/text, reflect on your own personal experience. In all three sections maintain a focus on reasons for selecting/connecting/reflecting on your chosen literary character.
Persuasive Writing in Context (Speech or Letter):
This assignment requires students to write a letter or speech in order to persuade a given audience to ACCEPT or REJECT a hypothetical proposal.
Audience: Town Council
Proposal: … close the movie theatre
Audience: Town Council
Proposal: … build a condominium complex
Audience: Town Council
Proposal: … host the music festival
Audience: Town Council
Proposal: … close the community library
Audience: School Board
Proposal: … install a virtual reality simulation system
Audience: School Board
Proposal: … install a video surveillance management system
30-2 Response to Visual Exemplars
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existential_crisis
More “Diploma-like” Topics:
- The pursuit of dreams, goals, ideas as a driving force in life
- Effects/aspects of isolation on individuals
- The desire to escape
- Choices as a reflection of characters and events in life
- Challenge
- Power/effect of human imagination
- Pursuit/influence of an ideal
- Sense of identity
- Self-discovery
- Influence of personal longing
- Effects of limitations on life
- Turning points:
- Maintaining personal resolve in the face of opposition
- Creating/maintaining identity
- What motivates one to approach life as he/she/ does
- Conflicts with destructive or threatening forces
- Success as the achievement of inner satisfaction
- Influence of illusion or disillusionment
- Ability or inability to adapt to reality
- Achieving personal freedom
- Outsiders within a society
- Conflict between pursuing a personal desire and choosing to conform
- Struggle to restore honour and certainty
- Our beliefs are influenced by the actions of others
- Courage is an important quality
Note: 30-1: prepare to use any of the elements: character, setting, events, conflict, irony, symbolism, archetype etc. to develop the thesis statement. 30-2: focus on character, connections to self, connections to culture.